22 September 2026
Dear Parents and Carers,
This week, our focus is on academic excellence, one of the core values that guides our work at Erdington Academy. Excellence does not mean being perfect or finding everything easy. It means doing our best, every day, in everything we do, and being willing to keep improving.
Excellence through participation and challenge.
In assemblies this week, pupils have explored how reading, participation and challenge all contribute to academic success. Reading builds vocabulary, memory and understanding across every subject. Active participation helps pupils think more deeply, retain knowledge and grow in confidence. Challenge helps them move beyond what they can already do and become stronger, more independent learners.
We reminded pupils that challenge is not something to fear; it is an important part of learning. Getting an answer wrong, finding a task difficult or needing to try again does not represent failure. What matters is responding positively, listening carefully and using support and feedback to improve.
What academic excellence looks like in lessons.
At Erdington Academy, every pupil is expected to participate actively in their learning. This includes listening attentively, tracking the speaker, reading aloud when asked, contributing to Turn and Talk, responding to Cold Call questions, using mini whiteboards and acting on feedback. Pupils should take part even when they are not completely sure of an answer.
These approaches are not designed to catch pupils out. They give every pupil a voice and help teachers understand what pupils know, where misconceptions remain and what support or challenge is needed next. Participation allows teachers to respond to pupils’ learning in the moment and helps pupils become more confident communicators and thinkers.
How families can support.
Parents and carers play an important role in reinforcing these habits. You can support by encouraging regular reading, praising effort and improvement, and reminding your child that mistakes are a normal part of learning. Asking simple questions such as ‘What challenged you today?’, ‘How did you participate?’ or ‘What feedback did you receive?’ can prompt useful conversations about learning.
Our message to pupils is clear: excellence is about effort, not perfection. When pupils participate, embrace challenge and use feedback to improve, they show that they care about their learning, their future and their potential.
Thank you for your continued support in helping us maintain high expectations and build the daily habits that lead to excellent outcomes and personal achievement for every pupil.
Kind regards,
Simone Mabbett
Assistant Principal